Israeli leaders are seriously considering a dormant Saudi plan offering a comprehensive peace between Israel and the Arab world in exchange for lands captured during the 1967 war, Defense Minister Ehud Barak said Sunday.

Israeli leaders are seriously considering a dormant Saudi plan offering a comprehensive peace between Israel and the Arab world in exchange for lands captured during the 1967 war, Defense Minister Ehud Barak said Sunday.

Israeli leaders are seriously considering a dormant Saudi plan offering a comprehensive peace between Israel and the Arab world in exchange for lands captured during the 1967 war, Defense Minister Ehud Barak said Sunday.

Israelis ushered in the Jewish New Year on Monday with festive family dinners -- and a warning from their outgoing prime minister that they'll have to return virtually all the land captured in 1967 to win peace with the Palestinians and Syrians.

Syria's leader made a move Thursday to shake off Syria's pariah image, saying Damascus has put forth a proposal for peace with Israel. But Bashar Assad also said he would not break off ties with Hezbollah and militant Palestinians a key Israeli demand for Mideast peace.

French President Nicolas Sarkozy encouraged Syria to pursue face-to-face peace talks with Israel during his first trip Wednesday to the Arab nation -- a visit also aimed at undercutting Iranian influence in Damascus.